Perhaps those of us who live in the city the book is set shouldn't read said books. This was terrible. The author has clearly not only never been to Nashville, I'm not even sure she's ever been to America. She name drops a bunch of tourist-y places around the city, which college kids (this is supposed to be Vandy: black, white, and silver, "bear" down, "Southern Ivy") would never go to. Driving over an hour outside the city to go to a drive-in movie? Miss me with this one.

I genuinely do not understand how this book is being traditionally published, and it honestly makes me think a little less of St. Martin's Griffin Press. The writing is immature in a mature-author sense, with fanfiction, flat characters-like style, info dumping in the first chapter with dialogue, an opening chapter that feels like a prologue (why do we need such in-depth, detailed inner monologue about a cheer competition for the opening scene?), and big time jumps in the first few chapters that tell me the story didn't start in the right place.

Literally, chapter 1 opens with her at her final cheer competition for Oxford and then time skips two weeks later to her bf breaking up with her. but then we don’t really get deep enough in the POV to care about the ending of a five (!!!) year relationship that was headed for marriage. It’s not a gut punch, it’s not a heartbreak. It’s just… there. So much happened in chapter 1 that could’ve been rearranged or just alluded to later.

And then Chapter 6 jumps three more weeks later.

It felt like felt like an American writing a Brit, trying to shovel in as many British slang phrases as they could think of. The dialogue was weird and stilted.

Actual excerpt from the book: “[The new roomie] exudes an air of cheerleader perfection—gorgeous, bubbly, and radiant.” Wtf does that even mean?

The POV could be deepened, even in the first few chapters. It’s like the difference between talking to someone and talking with someone. It’s a lot of telling what’s going on without a lot of feeling and emotion to bring me into the story. Ex:
And that’s when I see him—a tall man standing alone by the edge of the patio. He’s staring into the night, a beer bottle loosely held in one hand. He has this rugged, all-American look about him: dark hair that’s slightly tousled, gray eyes framed by thick lashes, a perfect strong nose, and a tiny mole by his upper lip on the right. His T-shirt pulls tight across his broad chest and shoulders. Muscular but lean. Now that I’ve had a closer look, I think he might be one of the most gorgeous men I’ve ever seen. And that’s not just the bourbon talking.


And then she proceeds to grill this total stranger in an incredibly awkward way that makes me think the author has never struck up conversation with a stranger before. And then I *think* what follows is supposed to be cute and flirty, but she almost chokes on her drink and actually says “you liked that, did you?” to the guy.

“I’m not opposed to you getting a little . . . messy.” “Then you should see my bedroom back home.”


She’s not smooth, not cute, and smart enough but unbelievably awkward. She’s been in America for less than six hours and leaves the bar with a dude she just met. She takes a pic of his license plate and asks for his drivers license to do the same thing, which is when she learns his name. She immediately shares hers with him, dropping all mystery and with no emotion, no precursor, and no nothing, says “Well, it might come in handy later. To be honest, I think I’d quite like to hear you say it.” Can I get a wink? A saucy look? A lean in and whisper in the ear? ANYTHING?!?

Hudson's POV is mildly better, but only because Ella's is so terrible. How he describes this girl he just met: “She’s all kinds of beautiful. The type of woman who can make a man forget his purpose, if only so that he could take her home and show her a good time.” But then there's a lot of inconsistencies that the author should've researched better or an editor should've fact checked better:

Hudson is the starting QB of this big university and works a part time job in the off season? Five years ago, that could’ve maybe, possibly, not really snuck by most readers. And maybe this still will. Be he’s getting NIL money now, and someone on the editing staff should’ve helped the (I suspect) non-American author out there.

He didn’t choose it for football?!? For classics study?!? I hope his ass gets benched ASAP for someone who wants to be there for the football team then. He wants to be normal and away from the spotlight but is the starting QB on a “southern Ivy” team?? He stopped playing football for a while after his dad left and took up competitive cheerleading?? When did his dad leave? He TRAINED FOR SIX YEARS as a cheerleader?!? He goes back to football junior year in high school and lands QB1 at a competitive southern Ivy school? None of this makes sense. None of it.

Not to even mention the football inaccuracy of the first in-book game. (Is Hudson, the QB, actually ON the field for kickoff? Because “As the kickoff approaches, I line up with my teammates…”

This is open door and they get to it pretty quickly, but none of their dialogue makes me think they’re about to get it on. None of their dialogue makes me want them to get it on. Especially when they make out a little and amp up the horniness a bit, tone down the awkward, then allow themselves—let me make that clear, they allow themselves to be sidetracked by a cat. It kills the mood, which was already pretty tepid at best. And then we get a lot of “relax”es between two people who *say* they want to sleep with a stranger but certainly don’t *act* like it.

Is this supposed to be sexy???? “A woman who makes me want her just by existing. Give me a few hours, and I can show you exactly how much I mean that. I’m gonna fill you up, stretch you out, make you feel so damn good that you won’t ever doubt it again.” Actually words the MMC speaks to the FMC after knowing her for less than an hour.

And if you've made it this far, that was all before 35% of the book. I started mildly skimming around 15% and heavy skimming around 20% before tapping at 39%. This one is way too unrealistic with flat, unlikeable characters who don't make sense.

Shoutout to the publisher for making this a Read Now on Netgalley because clearly they don't gain anything by this particular review.

This was a lighthearted, fun, quick read.
An English girl who gets into a no strings attached fling with a southern boy?! I loved Hudson and Ella’s relationship from the very beginning. Ella was so determined and strong and I love that Hudson embraced her and doted her from the start. I also loved that Hudson wasn’t ashamed of who he is and really stepped up for Ella when she needed him.
I do think the plot could have used a bit more excitement and I was wishing that there would be a bit more conflict whenever Jamie came around. Maybe I just like a little more drama, but it felt like Ella and Hudson didn’t really go through any real turmoil.
Overall, this was a fun read and I would recommend it to someone needing a quick palette cleanser with some spice.

I read this book as an ARC and honestly, it was so entertaining. I really liked the characters and their depth, it was fast paced, exciting and gave everything a college romance should. There were even a few surprise twists in this book I didn't anticipate so it kept my attention. I flew through this in 2 days (ok mostly 1 day). 4.5 Stars

2.5 ⭐️’s - Thank you NetGalley & St. Martin’s Press for this ARC!

I am a fan of Ki Stephen’s writing however I felt this book was a bit all over the place. I loved how Ella & Hudson meet, and enjoyed the overall concept of Ella studying abroad in America and making big changes in her life. Unfortunately though as the book went on it felt like the characters were giving me whiplash with their on and off feelings and then being vulnerable and then it would disappear. It was hard to really like them together in the end.

This does have a lot of cheerleading aspects in it, so if you are a cheerleader or a fan of it this might be up your alley.

Overall, parts of it were good, but not my favorite of Ki Stephen’s books.

First of all, thanks to NetGalley and st martins press for the chance to read this arc.
Ok, so, I’m a huge romance reader but not really a sports romance reader. I’ve read a few but they were mostly ones where the main characters are older-as in, not college students. Not that this was a bad thing-I enjoyed both characters and their relationship. I thought it was cute but I guess I’m just too old for the college scene. Just can’t put my finger in what it was-because I really did like it but still felt a little ‘eh’ about it.

Thank you Ki Stephens and St. Martins Press for the ARC!

I had the pleasure of beta reading this book last year and I was so happy to get to revisit these characters again. Game On is a fun college, sports romance with such a fresh feel to it. There's not many books out there that highlight cheerleading as the demanding sport that it is, but Game on does that perfectly. It focuses on the athleticism, skill, and discipline that it takes to compete at a collegiate level in cheerleading and made for such an enthralling, entertaining read. If you were ever a fan of Bring it On or the Cheer docuseries, I'd recommend it for that alone!!

Aside from how well the sports part of this book was done (the football aspect as well), I also just really loved the characters and the romance. Ella and Hudson have undeniable chemistry from the very beginning. They definitely start off hot with a one night stand, but then it turns it to a slow burn as they both kind of swear off being together. It allows their friendship to develop in so many different ways. It was really sweet to see Hudson show up for Ella. I loved the push and pull between them - it created the best tension and made it that much better once they finally gave in. There was so much growth both together and as individuals and it was one of my favorite parts!!

Ella and Hudson were both relatable in their own ways. I appreciated the OCD representation with Hudson and Ella's experiences as a new student in a completely different country. A lot of their feelings really resonated with me and I loved how raw and vulnerable they could be with each other about it all.

This book was also kind of nostalgic in its own way (for me.) Both for the cheerleading portion of it all, but also, the college setting. Ki Stephens does an incredible job at encapsulating what its like to be young and in college and I was transported back to those days when I read this book. It was like a time machine and such a fun experience lol.

The side characters!! I am foaming at the mouth for more books in this world because the crumbs are there and I am ready.

Anyway, highly highly recommend picking this one up on release day!!

Game On was such a fun and light read. While it definitely feeds into the cliche of football player x cheerleader in your typical college romance, I liked that there was actually so much more to the story and the characters.

Ella is an exchange student from England coming to Nashville on a study abroad program, as well as competitive cheerleading. She was supposed to go with her boyfriend but he breaks up with her right before they leave, and as a rebound, she hooks up with Hudson (the star football player) on her first night in the US. Only it doesn’t end there and they actually end up becoming friends. Hudson was such a complex character and I really enjoyed his story. There is so much more to him than meets the eye, and he absolutely breaks away from the stereotypical jock that I (and Ella) believed him to be at first. He’s actually really vulnerable and the mental health representation here was so refreshing to read. His budding relationship with Ella that starts off as insta lust but later develops into an actual deep emotional connection was so much more than I expected.

That being said, the story moved pretty fast and felt a little rushed at some points. I also felt like there were a lot of times where the author was telling rather than showing, and it just didn’t elicit the intended emotion in me. I also felt like we skipped over most of the side characters and their friend group, and it was almost like they solely served the purpose of being a friend but we never dove into the friendships, everything was only about the romantic relationship between the main characters. I would have preferred a bit more depth here, and more organic relationships and development.

I still really enjoyed this book and am excited to see what Ki Stephens writes next!

This book was such a quick read, I felt like time was flying as I read it. I liked both of our main characters and found their romance sweet although it did progress pretty quick so I wasn’t as connected but obviously I still really enjoyed it.

Thank you St Martins Press and NetGalley for this ARC, in exchange this is my honest review.

Game On by Ki Stephens is a fun, enjoyable new adult spicy romcom that creates a cast of characters at Whitland University.

Ella Davis is an exchange student from Oxford, excited to learn from a top notch cheerleading program, and fresh from her fiancé breaking up with her. Her first night out she finds Hudson, handsome and everything her ex isn’t. Trying the live in the moment she has a one night stand with him only to find out he is the Whitland’s quarterback.

Hudson Fox is drawn to Ella . Juggling football, his major in Classics, and applications to graduate school he is convinced he doesn’t have time for her and keeps his distance, but continues to find himself in Ella’s presence.

Ella and Hudson are both stereotypical main characters. Ella is a natural at partner stunts, having little to no experience at Oxford’s smaller cheer program and Hudson suddenly having secret competitive cheer experience (how convient) on top of being on a football scholarship student. Hudson has daddy issues and Ella is distant from her family. Game On reads as an easy romance where you know more or less what will happen next.

I don’t have issues with easy romcoms. I liked Game On, I just wanted to love it. I found myself wishing there was more at stake earlier, like having any interaction with Claire (rival and cheer captain) as she could have created tension. If you are going to introduce someone who has clear dislike of Ella in the first 5% of the book then use that instead of waiting until 80% of the way in to make her an issue, it should build. Same with her ex, he is at the university in exchange too and shows up twice by 70% but also could have been more of a hinderance through out the book. Truly missed opportunities.

Stephens created an overall likable book with demigod athletes and likable characters. Overall a 4/5 star read. Buy or pre-order Game On by September 8, 2025.

This book is the Icebreaker of Cheer and Football. I absolutely loved this book! Sports romances are such a favorite for me and this was no different. This book follows Ella and her cheer journey from England to the US right after her long time boyfriend breaks up with her. On her first night in the states, she meets Hudson, the star football player (and secret cheerleader) and they immediately hit it off. When Ella’s stunting partner gets injured Hudson steps up and replaces him on the cheer team. I loved the romance and the banter between the two main characters and I loved Hudson’s cat sourdough. This book was such a fun read and I would highly recommend it if you enjoyed icebreaker because this will give you the same vibes. Happy reading!

Ella Davies is at Whitland for a year abroad and to compete with the top cheer squad at championships in Daytona. Hudson Fox is Whitland's star quarterback with a new rule for the year, no distractions. As you can imagine once these two meet, all bets are off and they enter into a no-strings attached fun. But what happens when lines start to blur?

I have so much love for Ella and Hudson, their banter is adorable and I love how they interact with one another. I do admit some of the end felt a little rushed to me and their "argument" felt a little half baked and almost out of character for both of them. But ultimately I wish I had some more time with these two!

Most of all the standout to me was Levi and his friendship with Hudson, he understood him and also pushed his buttons like a good friend should. He was silly and fun and I so want another book with him in it to figure out what is up with him and the ladies in his life!

So this book was not bad by any means, however, it was really just not for me. I didn’t enjoy the romance at all, and I found the mmc repulsive for 90% of the book. I’m not a fan of instalust and prefer more tension and yearning and it’s hard to be interested in a romance where you don’t like the couple.

Outside of the romance I did enjoy the sport elements of the story. This is the only sports romance I’ve read but I felt like there was a good emphasis each characters sport and capturing the intensity of competitive sports.

There are obvious loose ends that I would like to see tied up, good set up for a series of interconnected stand alones which I would be interested in because although I really didn’t enjoy the romance in this book I did think the writing style was good and I would continue the series

Overall I did not like this specific book however I might pick up another series by this author and I do see potential for this to continue as a series and the stories of some of the other characters do interest me.

2.5 ⭐️
2.5🌶️

This was a cute, funny, and spicy sports romance! I enjoyed the banter between these two, a lot, and liked the way the author was a little descriptive when she described the sports playing. I was here for the fast-burn vibes and the plot and story was good enough that it kept me actively engaged. This is definitely for the sports romance girlies. It was a fun and easy read that is a great read for football season.

What do you get when a Southern football player meets a sharp-tongued English cheerleader? Game On by KI Stephens is a sweet, slightly spicy college sports romance that delivers just that—with a unique twist.

Ella, a fiery Brit, comes to the U.S. for a year and joins whitland university cheer squad. There, she meets Hudson, the charming football player with a soft spot and strong arms—literally. After a one-night stand, their chemistry refuses to burn out, quickly evolving into a friends-with-benefits situation that naturally slides into something deeper and more heartfelt.

One of the standout elements for me was the dynamic between cheerleading and football. It’s the first sports romance I’ve read where the football player actually helps the cheerleader with her lifts and stunts. It added a fresh, fun layer to the story and highlighted the physicality and teamwork behind both sports.

Overall, Game On is a cute and easy read. It leans a bit on the younger side with a touch of spice, making it perfect for fans of lighthearted college romance with some sport action thrown in.

Thank you Netgalley, St.Martins Press & Ki Stephens for the arc !

This was a lot of fun! I’ve been slowly getting more and more into soccer and books like this have been so much more fun! I really loved this couple and their dynamic.

This was so much fun!!!! It reminded me a lot of Grace Reilly's Beyond the Play series. I'll be recommending this book a lot when it comes out in the fall!

Ki Stephens, I love you dearly, you gave me Kaia Karras and for that I’ll always be grateful. Unfortunately this book missed the mark for me personally but I know others will love it as it is up the alley for the average sports romance readers. Not to say I’m not an average reader but me and Ki Stephen’s books go way back so I can tell the difference, no matter how subtle.

If you want a friends with benefits sports romance book then this is for you. It is an easy read with spice, predictability and great chemistry.

Ella is an exchange student from the UK on the cheer team and Hudson is on the football team. They aren't allowed to date and she's headed back to Oxford at the end of the year so friends with benefits it is.

It's very low stakes and low conflict. Just an easy romance read which every so often I need. I was more interested in the side characters. Definitely major hints of a sequel with Claire and Levi? Please? I need to know what was up with them.

Thank you Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I was genuinely surprised how different this romance was. American football player and cheerleader with an English twist! I liked it! Honestly it kept the desire to continue to read going!

This wasn’t my first time reading Ki Stephens, and while I thought Game On had its strengths, it ultimately wasn’t for me. I struggled to connect with the main characters until about 70% into the book, and I found the romance too understated for my taste. The relationship developed too slowly at first, only to suddenly speed up near the end. I'll admit that I prefer my romance to be more unrealistic, so if you are the opposite, then you probably won't have the same issues!

That said, the writing was still solid, and the side characters definitely piqued my interest!

I know there are readers who will enjoy this more than I did - I'd especially recommend it for Gen Z readers or fans of Elle Kennedy’s college romances! Game On could be a fun and quick addition to your TBR!

Thank you NetGalley & St. Martin's Press for the advanced copy! This is an honest review, all opinions are my own.